Welcome to Norfolk Baskets

Manufacturers of handmade willow baskets - grown and handcrafted in the Dordogne, France by Adrian Charlton and Ruth Charlton

Introduction

The Norfolk Basket Company is a partnership between myself and my wife and former apprentice Ruth Charlton. I have been making willow baskets professionally since 1985 and have run willow basket making courses since 1989. My interest in the craft was initially sparked by coming across an old basketmaker at Fakenham market in Norfolk. I was intrigued by the vast variety of baskets, all with different names and uses. I was looking for a way out of my job working on North Sea oil rigs and within a couple of months, helped by a grant from the Rural Development Commission I found myself apprenticed to Terry Bensley in Great Yarmouth. Terry, now retired was a Master Basketmaker and taught me a full range of traditional English willow basketry from small fruit pickers to willow furniture. Ruth became my apprentice in 1997 and we have worked together ever since.

Basketmaking, a never ending process of learning

Currently with over 50 years of combined experience we are continuing to develop our skills and range of baskets. With the craft of basketmaking pre-dating pottery there is undoubtedly plenty left to learn.

Passing on our skills through courses and developing new skills through working alongside makers from different traditions is both enriching for us and valuable for the continuity of the craft. Refinement of these new and existing skills is still at the heart of our basketmaking ethos.

Previous and Existing Customers Include:

About Us

Manufacturers of handmade willow baskets - grown and handcrafted in the Dordogne, France by Adrian Charlton and Ruth Charlton.